Chaim Gartenberg, a Senior Reporter at The Verge specializing in USB-C, and Ken Pillonel, a renowned hardware hacker, dive into the intriguing world of USB-C technology. They discuss the convoluted history of USB-C, its myriad variations, and the challenges consumers face in identifying compatible cables. Ken shares his groundbreaking journey of modifying an iPhone's lightning port to USB-C, revealing technical hurdles and the ethical implications of reverse engineering tech. The conversation also touches on EU regulations pushing for universal charging standards and the future landscape of USB-C.

Nilay Patel is joined by Verge deputy editor Dan Seifert and news editor Chaim Gartenberg to discuss i0S14.5, Apple's earnings, Epic vs. Apple, chip shortages, and Samsung's new laptops.Senior reporter Ashley Carman joins the show to talk about the wave of action in the podcast industry this past week.Further reading: People who are vaccinated don’t need to wear masks during many outdoor activities, CDC says Social media platforms become triage centers as India struggles with a COVID-19 surge The first problem was vaccine supply. Now, it’s demand. Officials lift pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine iOS 14.5 is out now with new Face ID mask features and Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Why Apple’s new privacy feature is such a big deal Apple’s iPhone 12 and Mac sales skyrocket despite ongoing pandemic Here’s who Apple and Epic are calling to testify in next week’s trial Eddy Cue wanted to bring iMessage to Android in 2013 Apple fined $12M by Russian regulator over App Store monopoly abuse Can Apple get you to pay for podcasts?  Spotify launches podcast subscriptions, but you can’t subscribe in-app Spotify’s miniplayer for Facebook launches today Facebook is building its own in-app podcast player Clubhouse is partnering with the NFL for draft week programming SiriusXM acquires Roman Mars’ 99% Invisible and a bigger stake in the podcasting world Spotify is raising prices for lots of its plans Spotify premium subscriber count increases 21 percent to 158 million Spotify is okay with Joe Rogan telling 21-year-olds not to get vaccinated Samsung’s new Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360 are lightweight laptops with OLED screens Samsung announces a cheaper entry-level Galaxy Book with no OLED Samsung’s Galaxy Book Odyssey introduces Nvidia’s new RTX 3050 Ti Elon Musk says Tesla made ‘significant mistakes’ with solar roof project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chaim Gartenberg, Verge news editor with a keen focus on Apple, and Makena Kelly, Verge politics reporter specializing in tech regulations, dive into Apple's latest product announcements. They dissect the vibrant new M1 iMac and iPad Pro, highlighting their innovative features. Kelly sheds light on congressional hearings aimed at regulating the App Store, discussing implications for developers and antitrust dynamics. The conversation balances excitement over Apple's advancements with critical insights into the brewing regulatory challenges ahead.

Julia Alexander, a media and entertainment analyst, and Chaim Gartenberg, a technology journalist, dive into the latest Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review, praising its display technology and battery life. They explore juicy Apple redesign rumors, including new Mac models and potential foldable devices. The conversation shifts to streaming services, highlighting the launch of Paramount Plus and the competitive landscape among platforms, while also addressing how user experiences are evolving amidst market saturation.

Featuring Julia Alexander, a media and entertainment reporter, and Chaim Gartenberg, a news editor at The Verge, the discussion dives into Warner Bros.' game-changing move to stream all 2021 movies on HBO Max simultaneously with theaters. They explore the exciting capabilities of Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 888 processor, promising faster speeds and better AI for Android smartphones. Regulatory shifts are also a hot topic, particularly with the impending resignation of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, hinting at changes in the digital landscape.